1st Win, So Sweet
by Tim Ek on June 29th, 2009
Evomo takes FIRST!
Everything about the fourth 12 hour race of the Wisconsin Mountain Bike Series was epic. It all started with the seven hour drive after work on Friday. A friend of mine and I arrived in the suburban sprawl of Milwaukee around 11:00 p.m. To our delight we were offered an upgrade on our room which landed us in a bizarre setting. We entered our sleeping chambers and found it to be a conference room of sorts, complete with two big flat screens and a huge long table surrounded by office chairs. We threw our gear all over that room in an effort to play to the irony of the situation. No lap tops, black berries or cell phones this time. Instead, the room was laden with tools, bikes and gear. We felt like pros as we had plenty of room to prepare for the day that lay ahead.
My training partner, Charlie (single speed, 1st place) chillin' in the board room.
Of course the morning was met with time constraints. It always seems that no matter how hard one tries to afford enough time it never works out that way. As I snapped the GPS onto the bike I heard the loud speaker drone out, “Five minutes to start”. Too close for me, once again. I hustled to the start line and linked up with my fellow racers and teammate, Justin Lund. The Lemans start consisted of about a 100 yard run up a ski hill to our waiting bikes. It seemed senseless to start a race that’s going to be 12 hours long with a run, but so it goes. ..
I quickly jumped in with the lead group and was riding comfortably in about 4th position. I was pleased that the pace was well within my limits. I wondered when things would intensify, but the group seemed content to talk and move through the single track with ease. Nerves forced me to the front as I decided to test the intent of the others. I took over the lead and lifted the pace a bit. Soon, one of the race favorites bit and snatched the front spot from me. He is a skilled single track rider and it quickly became difficult to hold his wheel and soon one of our foursome popped of the back. The conversations subsided and the racing had begun. Somewhere around 10:30 a.m. I took over the lead and tried to push things up a notch (again). I remember being very focused on the single track , staying smooth, controlled, yet fast. Things went quiet shortly after that and I found myself alone. Where had they gone, what happened to the other two riders from my group? I could only conclude that I had gapped them. I put the throttle down a little harder and started turning some “hot” laps with no stops in the pit area. My lead began to grow as I received reports from other riders and volunteers. It soon became clear that this would be the first time that I would be running scared rather than chasing. It would remain that way for the rest of the day.
The heat of the day descended on me in a brutal fashion. I hail from the north country so heat is not something I’m used to contending with. High humidity and temps in the mid 90’s started sapping my strength. Intense head aches reigned supreme as I forced fluids (Motortabs) into my system. All in all I consumed fourteen 22 oz. water bottles throughout the event. I was able to survive the head aches and keep the cramps at bay.
Somewhere in the late afternoon I lapped the third place rider and race favorite. He acknowledged my ride with a smile and a nod as I slowly moved past him. We knew this was my race to win or lose. Keeping the ride clean and the Gary Fisher out of trouble became the focus all the while keeping the effort pinned at a manageable level.
With 100 miles of trail under my belt I knew this day would be mine. Once I completed the 22nd lap of the 5.3 mile course I was convinced I would not be caught. A brief confirmation with the officials let me know that I had done it. My first win! There was no fanfare or celebrations, just a couple of “good jobs” and “atta boys” from the directors and I rolled away to my pit area. I took a minute however, to let it all sink in and say to myself, “You did it, you kicked ass!”.
22 Laps, 125 miles, 11 Hours 24 minutes
The awards were subdued, but cool. Not to mention it offered Justin (6th overall) and I a chance to explain to all that were there what Evomo is all about, which was well received. Finally, the last effort of the day, the 7 hour drive back home, man that really hurt. Thank you to Motortabs, Tiffosi, Ergon (the new grips were so great!), Action Wipes and Evomo.
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The first one is always the coolest! Good job buddy!
Good job Tim.
Great Race Eki…The DBD Training is paying off. Mallory
Thats awesome. GO EVOMO!
Grats on the win, and to do it in a awesome state as Wisconsin is just that much better